Promised

A Decade

2011-06-26T20:35:00.002-05:00

Ten years ago, Lance and I were 21 years old standing on the stage of Hillcrest Baptist Church in front of hundreds of people. I remember the day like it was yesterday. (Well it probably helps that I have watched the video like a hundred times). It was everything I wanted it to be.

And I can honestly say that ten years later, marriage is everything that I wanted it to be too. Don't get me wrong, we are not the Cleavers. We argue sometimes (usually about Lance being late). And we get on each others nerves from time to time. But ultimately, he is my absolute best friend and a wonderful husband. I could not imagine my life with anyone else. So to commemorate our 10th wedding anniversary, I will tell you how we met in case anyone is interested...

Lance and I are the same age, and we both went to school at Nederland HS. It was nearly the end of our 11th grade year, and I had signed up to give blood at the blood drive at school. I was 17 years old and would take any chance to get out of class. I left my last period class, which Lance and I shared, and headed to the drama department, where the Life Share people were set up. I gave blood, and then I passed out cold. The bell to go home rang, and since I never came back to class, my teacher asked Lance to bring my books down to me. When he got there, I was laid out on the floor with an ammonia pack under my nose. The Life Share worker asked Lance if he knew me, to which he replied, "Well yea she is in my class." The worker asked if he could bring me home because she did not think it advisable for me to drive myself. That evening after he dropped me off, he called me to see how I was feeling. That was it. I was smitten.

Lance was very well-respected in school, and he was cute. Everyone knew he loved the Lord, and that helped to attract me to him. Plus he was just a nice guy. And he was cute, or did I say that already. After our blood donation experience, we became good friends. But I secretly liked him. Well I don't know how much of a secret it was. But the part about us being good friends is true anyway. Finally, I won his heart over and he asked me to Senior Prom. We haven't been apart since.

He is the love of my life. He is still my best friend. I feel so lucky that we have been together for so long. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I do know that I am thankful I have him!

It is true - love does get sweeter with time. I can't wait to see what the next decade holds!

Happy Summer

2011-05-27T18:02:00.002-05:00

It's officially summer at the Howell house! Yesterday Mackenzie graduated from preschool. We enjoyed a program to honor the graduates, and then we really enjoyed a spaghetti lunch for the graduates and their families. It was very special because my dad made his famous spaghetti and meatballs for all the graduates and their families. Mackenzie and I were proud of him.

Today we had a swimming party at her other grandfather's house for her class. It was a fun way to kick off the summer - swimming, pizza and friends. She had a lot of sweet kids in her class, and I feel blessed to have become friends with several of the moms.

This Memorial Day Weekend we are planning to enjoy some time at a ski lake in Beaumont that Lance's dad bought a lot on last year. We will ski, grill and swim. It should be a lot of fun.

Besides enjoying time with the family and friends, I will also be spending a lot of time in the next week gluing sequins to costumes. Recital is in two weeks, and Mackenzie is in three numbers this year - jazz, ballet and father-daughter dance. She loves to dance, and I love to experience recital with her, especially since I was a dancer too.

Mackenzie is also excited to start Zumbatomic in a few weeks. It's Zumba for kids, and they are having it at Taylor Dance Studio on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. My sweet friend, Jennifer, is teaching it. Check out Nederland Zumba on facebook for more info. It will be a blast for the kids.

I am still teaching Zumba at Powerhouse three times a week, and I like it. I am especially enjoying getting to know some of the ladies there better. It's a fun way to work out and make friends.

I love summer, and I love my life! I am one blessed wife and momma!

Ready or Not, Here She Comes

2011-05-03T21:00:00.002-05:00

Tonight was Kindergarten Round-up in Nederland. I feel like I have been holding back tears all day. I know it sounds silly, but it is going to be really hard when Mackenzie goes to school. I have been very blessed to be able to stay home with her, and she and I love spending time together. Then we were doubly blessed that four days a week this year, she has been going to Learning Hands preschool where she has my mom as a teacher.

I know that she is ready for school, even though she is a little nervous, but I just wish that she could stay a preschooler a little longer. I know that I cannot keep her from growing because God has wonderful plans for her future so instead, I will pray for her everyday. Because whether mom is ready or not, kindergarten...here she comes!

Micah Tyler Band Rocks!

2011-05-01T17:23:00.002-05:00

On Friday night, my friend and I went to Oasis Coffee Shop in Bridge City to check out the Micah Tyler Band. They were awesome! They are a local Christian band who I think may be famous one day :)

Their CD is awesome. I thought I would share a preview with you all in case you have not heard of them yet.

Check out this youtube video with a preview of the CD....

http://youtu.be/ecYEkQKP9oY

Check Out This Video

2011-04-07T13:19:00.004-05:00

Check out this video Lance made, and if you like it share it! :)

Little Hands Making a Big Difference

2011-04-03T20:05:00.003-05:00

Several months ago Mackenzie was watching a special on Nickelodeon about the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. The program, designed for children, talked about the disaster and how the people were still working to rebuild their lives. Mackenzie was deeply touched.

She came to Lance and I wanting to do something to help the Haitian children she saw on the television special. We agreed to think of a way to help, but for several weeks our efforts were no more than good intentions. However, she would not let it go. She told my mom at school that we all just had to do something to help Haiti because they had a terrible "earthshake" and many people lost their homes.

We decided that we had to help her organize a project because we wanted her to understand that when God lays something on your heart, you should obey. I contacted the International Mission Board because I knew that they had missionaries on the ground in Haiti, and I was hoping that they could direct us to a specific need that we could meet.

The IMB hooked me up with David & Jo Brown, missionaries in Port Au Prince. After e-mail communication with the Browns, we decided to raise money to furnish a school. The school was destroyed in the earthquake. The building has been rebuilt; however, the children are sitting on the floor and have few supplies.

Mackenzie is so excited about the project. All the children in her preschool are raising money, and our church family will have an opportunity to contribute next Sunday. Today during a link dinner for the preschool, Mack and some of her friends had a bake sale and raised about $200 for the project.

This has been a great learning experience for her. I am hoping that she learns to value missions and that when God asks you to do something, you do it. Also, I want her to know that this is not about her or how good or smart or sweet she is. Instead, this is about how God good is and how wonderful it is that He takes care of all of His creation and that sometimes we get to be involved in His work.

I am so proud of her and her friends, and it definitely does warm my heart to see those little hands making a big difference.

A Father's Laughing Cry

2011-03-27T17:43:00.004-05:00

For the last several weeks, Lance and I have encouraged Mackenzie to stand during the singing portion of our Sunday church service because we know that she knows most of the songs (she has them on her Ipod), and we want to encourage her participation in worship. Today she was very willing to sing and participate.

We sang, Jesus Paid It All, one of her favorite songs. She began singing quietly. As the instruments got louder and more people joined in the singing, Mackenzie got louder as well. When we got to the chorus portion of the song that repeats the phrase, "He washed it white as snow," Mackenzie was belting it out. Several people began giggling around us - probably partly because it was sweet to hear such a small child worship and also partly because she was VERY off-tune.

I was one who started giggling. But I also started crying. All at the same time. Not a good combination when you are in church and don't want to disturb those around you! Have you ever had that uncontrollable laughing-crying-all-at-the-same-time experience?

It is pretty obvious why I was laughing, but I wanted to write this post to share the reason I was crying. When I heard her voice, very off tune, but totally genuine, I felt so pleased that she was singing to the Lord. As a parent, I want nothing more than to see my child surrender to Jesus Christ. In my pleasure, God revealed to me that the joy I received from hearing her belt out those words is a glimpse of what He feels when one of His creation gives their heart to Him.

She was not singing the right notes and in the musical sense, it was loud and terrible. It made me think of how sin makes my worship "off-tune" as well, and how the Bible tells me that my righteousness is but filthy rags.

Yet even so, my Heavenly Father delights in me. I thought about the phrase she sang, "Sin has left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow." Tears rolled down my face while my heart laughed with joy as God used her untamed voice and those powerful words to reveal a beautiful image to me...When my Father's weak, "off-tune" children surrender their will to Him and allow Him to wipe away their stains, I think God must have a holy laughing-crying-all-at-the-same-time experience.

We are so blessed to have a Father who wants us just as we are and delights in genuine worship. It does not matter how off-tune or stained we seem on earth because when we give Jesus our heart, to Him we are washed as white as snow.

Rise and Shine

2011-02-07T13:26:00.002-06:00

This morning I saw 5am for the first time in a very long time. And I better get used to it because 5am and I have an appointment every Monday morning now.

I am teaching a 5am Zumba class on Monday mornings at Powerhouse Gym in Port Neches. I am very excited to have this opportunity.

As you probably can tell from past posts, I really like Zumba. It's fun instead of working out. I think I will enjoy teaching and getting exercise too. I just hope I can be on time for my 5am class :)

In case you were wondering, my seminary class is going really well too. My first assignment was due yesterday. It was just a mini-paper (500 words) on the inerrancy of God's Word. I think I did OK, but I don't know how much feedback I will get on my work. My professor is not required to grade my assignments since I am not taking it for credit. Hopefully he can find time to give me a little constructive criticism from time to time or at least let me know if I am on the right track.

You can definitely tell I am one of the only girls in my class since my male counterparts cited theological dissertations in their papers, and I cited Beth Moore. But who could not agree that Beth Moore rocks!

That's all I have for now. I must go run a few errands right now before I fall asleep while typing :)

New Ventures

2011-01-21T09:40:00.002-06:00

So far I am thinking that 2011 will be a year of new things for me.

On Wednesday, I start Hermeneutics. It is a seminary class through Grace School of Theology that will teach me methods for deeper study of the Bible. I am not taking the class for credit, just for enrichment. Nevertheless, I am excited and a little nervous to be back in school again.

In four weeks I will also complete my certification training as a Zumba instructor. I have never been a fitness instructor before, but I have always wanted to. I LOVE Zumba and have been attending a class 3 times a week since the end of October. Jenna & my teacher encouraged me to get certified, and shortly after I signed up for the certification, a local gym called asking me to teach. Not everything with that has been finalized so I don't want to speak too quickly, but it looks like teaching Zumba will be added to my list of new ventures this year. More details will come soon. :)

Lance (who turns 31 on Sunday BTW) and I are going to Hampton, VA for a week in February with his work. I am looking forward to getting away with him. We are driving there, and we love taking road trips and stopping at unique places on the way. It should be fun!

We are also planning a family vacation to Playa Del Carmen in May. I love the Caribbean and can't wait to relax, have fun and eat all the resort food :) Good thing I will be doing Zumba!

I am excited about all the opportunities this year holds and grateful to God, from whom all blessing flow!

A Perfect Sunday

2011-01-09T21:30:00.000-06:00

Today was such a great day. I love teaching 3rd grade Sunday School. The kids end up teaching me more than I teach them some days.

My niece and nephew were also down this weekend, and since Mack was sick for Christmas we did not get to see them much then. It was nice to have lunch with them at my mom's after church and play with them today.

After lunch was probably my favorite part of the day. Lance built a fire and the three of us spent two hours sitting in front of the fire, talking and putting together a lego castle. We never even turned the television on today. We need more days like that.

What a perfect Sunday!

Happy Birthday Momma

2011-01-06T13:10:00.003-06:00

Today is my mom's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is because this post is really meant to honor her, and that might just make her mad. Ha Ha.

I think I have the greatest mom ever. She is giving, loving and very hardworking. I think I get my independent and determined spirit from her. She is a devoted wife, mother, teacher and child of God.

I am so glad she is my mom, and I hope that she has the best birthday ever!

Checking Off My List

2010-12-22T15:10:00.002-06:00

Gumbo - Check!

Puppy Chow - Check!

Taco Meat for Cheese Dip - Check!

Celery Cut for Pineapple Cream Cheese Appetizer - Check!

Gingerbread for Church tonight - Check!

Dry ingredients measured for Corn Casserole - Check!

Ding-dong cake - In the oven!

Next step...Clean my kitchen!!!

What's Cooking?

2010-12-21T20:33:00.002-06:00

I love Christmas time. My mom always made it very special for my family by keeping Jesus at the center and filling the holidays with good food and good company. Since I am grown, I now enjoy helping to share some of that burden of cooking up Christmas.

So that's what I am planning on doing all day tomorrow. I am going to start out with cooking gumbo, which we will enjoy for lunch on Friday at my house with my parents, sister & family, and aunt & uncle. Then I am going to make puppy chow to bring to Laurie and Micah's on Christmas Eve night. I am also going to brown meat to add to the cheese dip that I will make on Friday night and start the Ding-Dong Cake for Christmas Day. That has to be frozen so that I can cut it into four pieces so I need to get an early start.

I am also making celery with pineapple cream cheese, a fruit salad that my family calls pink salad, and corn casserole. Good thing I have been going to Zumba! I better keep exercising or I will be rolling in to church on Sunday. :)

I also have a goal. My goal is to not enter another store until after Christmas. I have done my Christmas shopping and my grocery shopping so I am hoping that I do not have to get in one more line or swipe my credit card one more time. Can I do it? I guess we shall see!

Zumba

2010-12-19T20:57:00.002-06:00

Zumba is so fun!

I have been going to Zumba about 3 times a week for almost 2 months, and it has become one of my favorite things to do. It is great exercise and the best thing about it is that it is so fun you don't even realize how hard you are working out.

I go to Jennifer Simpson's classes at Taylor Dance Studio on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30am to 10:30am. She loves the Lord, and many of our workout songs are Christian songs. They also have classes on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights at 6:30. I try to go at least one evening a week.

The class is free the first time then you can choose to pay $25 a month for unlimited classes or $5 per class.

Lance told me the other day that it looked like my gut was getting smaller. I said thank you but was unsure if it was really a compliment since it included the word "gut" ha ha!

I figure the only thing that could make it more fun would be if I had some friends to share it with. So come if you can and join me in some calorie-burning fun :)

Back to School

2010-12-09T21:00:00.002-06:00

That's right...I'm going back to school. January 26th I start my first seminary class. Don't get any ideas though, I am not hoping to be a preacher. I'm Baptist, remember, I could not do that if I wanted to :)

I am taking Hermeneutics, a class that teaches you deeper Bible Study Methods from a language and cultural perspective, from Grace School of Theology. They have a satellite campus at First Baptist Beaumont, and the preacher there will be facilitating the class.

For a while now I have been really interested in learning more about the Greek and Hebrew languages because I think some of the fullness of God's Word can be masked in translation if we do not carefully study it and meditate on it. I think this class will teach me some helpful tools to appreciate the full complexity of Scripture as the Living Word.

This class is another way that God is bringing good out of a bad situation. I found out about the school's satellite campus and the course offerings shortly after my miscarriage. I knew that this was an opportunity that God was providing for me because like I said in my profile, I am promised to the King of Kings and while I am awaiting His return, I will not be idle. I want to make every moment count. So for now, I'm back to school.

Born to Shop

2010-11-20T16:21:00.002-06:00

Mackenzie and I hit a new landmark in our mother-daughter relationship on Friday - we had a big girl shopping day! It was so much fun and was very special because I have such fond memories of shopping days with my mom when I was a little girl. (Actually we still shop together and have a lot of fun ;)

We planned Friday to pick out a Christmas dress for Mackenzie. In year's past, I have picked one out and brought it home for her to wear or my mom or Auntie has seen one while shopping and bought it for her. But this year was different - this year was big girl shopping.

Of course, our trip started with lunch as all good shopping days should. She chose to eat at Jason's Deli so we did that and then once our bellies were full, we headed to Kohl's. We looked through the racks, and I held the ones she liked in her size for her to try on. She is very girly and frilly so for the most part she was picking things I liked too.

After we had about ten dresses to try, we headed to the dressing room. Mackenzie was so excited she could not stop giggling. After she tried each one on, we decided if they went in the no or maybe pile. How well they flowed when she twirled around was high on Mackenzie's list of criteria. And if they were itchy, they were definite no's.

At the end of trying on round one, we had narrowed the choices down to about five. So she tried all the maybes on again and made her final decision. She was so proud of her selection that she carried it to the cash register and wanted to swipe the credit card herself. The smile on her face was worth a million dollars.

Then of course, like good shoppers we had to shop for new shoes :) We talked about how she could not wear the outfit until Christmas. I guess she was looking for a way around that because last night she said, "Since I can't wear my new dress outside until Christmas, can I sleep in it tonight?" I said no, but I said it with a smile. What a fun day! Daughters are a gift from God.

My Name is Faith, and I Know You

2010-10-26T10:52:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Lance and I found out that we lost the baby we were expecting. I am sad, but I also know that I am loved. Family and friends have reached out to me to let me know that they love me. My husband and I are working through this together and I feel so loved by him. Mackenzie has shown me love as she also grieves this loss. And the most compelling love I know is the love of my Savior. I wanted to share the blessing in the midst of hurt that He gave me this morning.

After I dropped Mackenzie off at school and had my Tuesday morning prayer time with some mom friends, I headed to the hospital to see my precious friend Lindsey who has just welcomed a beautiful baby girl into this world. My loss does not diminish the joy I feel for her because her journey to motherhood was long and difficult, and I rejoice with her in seeing God's goodness revealed.

As I was leaving the hospital, a woman who was coming in stopped me and said, "Do I know you? I think I know you." While she did look familiar, I responded, "I don't know."

"My name is Faith," she said, "and I know that I know you."

"My name is Alison," I replied. But having gotten no recognition from the sharing of names. She smiled and said, "Well I don't know, but you sure look familiar." I nodded and said, "You look familiar too." And we went on our way.

When I sat down in my car, I lost my breath as God spoke to me.

"Alison, if you feel like you are loosing faith, I just want you to know that I know you. I AM Faith. I AM the Great I AM. And I know you, and I love you."

Thank you God for knowing me and making me feel known and loved. May my struggles add to my ministry for your kingdom so that I can share with others what it means to be known by Faith.

Character

2010-10-14T09:30:00.002-05:00

"Character is the will to do what is right, as God defines right, despite the cost."

I don't know where that quote comes from, but I love it. It was in Lance's Bible Study this morning, and he shared it with me. I just had to share it with my blogger friends. Hope you all have a great day!

His Little Girl

2010-09-19T20:50:00.002-05:00

I wanted to share a poem with you all that I wrote for Mackenzie's birthday. As she grows and experiences knew things, I have to continually remind myself that the only way I can be the parent she needs is to surrender control to God. He is the only Perfect Parent!

His Little Girl

I move your golden tendrils out of your sleeping eyes,

And a whirlwind of emotion takes me by surprise.

I pause and kneel beside your bed as I try to guess your dreams

Your small frame curled tightly; your look peaceful and serene.

I inhale slowly, then exhale as though I feel the weight.

This little life depends on me and the choices that I make.

Then just as tears begin to well and my heart begins to race,

I close my eyes, bow my head, and take my rightful place.

For every night, my precious one, I surrender my control

To One who loves you even more than we could ever know.

He knit your inmost being with a perfect plan in mind,

Lovingly creating you with a purposeful design.

So I ask for Him to lead me as I raise His little girl

And hold my hand as I hold yours to guide you through this world.

I pray that at a tender age, you learn to call Him "Lord"

And trust in Him, your Source of Strength, when life seems cold and hard.

I ask Him to reveal Himself in the choices that you make

As you hunger for His righteousness and always seek His face.

And on those days your way seems dark, I pray your soul is well

Because you hold to the assurance that His promises won't fail.

I beg your days of serving Him are fruitful and are many,

That you fulfill your heart's desires, and His blessings number plenty.

I begin to feel the peace He brings and know in you He finds delight.

I wrap my arms around you and kiss your head goodnight.

And as my weight is lifted by the One who holds the world,

I thank Him that He's given me this chance to hold His little girl.

Good Eats in SETX

2010-08-13T21:46:00.002-05:00

Tonight Lance, Mack & I went to eat at Sake for the first time. I got the Crunch Roll and Mackenzie loved it. She has really unique tastes for a four year old. She got the Shrimp Hibachi Kid's Meal. I tasted some of hers, and it was really good too. We had fun together.

I love to go out to eat. We don't go very much because it is expensive and bad for you so when we do it is always a treat. I think my favorite places to go eat in SETX are Jason's Deli, Chili's and Carmela's. I like several things at Jason's, and I love the chocolate soft serve ice cream. At Chili's the black bean burger is delicious, and of course you can't go wrong with Carmela's Mexican food. Sometime Lance, Mackenzie and I all split the Grande Burrito and we still have some left to take home. It is huge!

What is your favorite place to eat in our area?

Busy Summer

2010-08-08T17:14:00.002-05:00

It seems like I don't have much time to blog lately, or at least I have not taken the time. We have had a great and busy summer.

In June, I taught Vacation Bible School for the first time ever. It was fun, and I always love being with kids. We also had Mackenzie's recital. She loves dancing and I find so much joy in watching her. She was in ballet, tumbling and Father/Daughter dance (which was her favorite). She had three costume changes this year and so I felt like a real dance mom :) It was fun!

We also did swimming lessons in June with Miss Dayla. She was Mackenzie's three year old teacher at Holy Cross. We love her. She taught Mack a lot, and now Mackenzie is a little fish in the pool.

In July we enjoyed picking blueberries with my sister-in-law. Her grandparents have a blueberry farm in Spurger. We have eaten gallons of blueberries this summer. It has been a super treat! We also went to two Astro's games last month and spent some time at Toledo Bend and at a ski lake in Cheek that Lance's dad just bought a lot on. We even helped to build and paint the new boat dock. It was a fun but hot job.

Two weeks ago, Mack & I took a very quick last-minute trip to Austin with my mom. It was so fun! We went to Barton Springs, toured the Capitol and did some shopping in San Marcos. I think Mackenzie learned a lot about our state on the trip.

Last week was one of the highlights of the summer. Lance, Mackenzie & I participated in a Backyard Bible Club at Rienstra Park. A lot of young adults helped and over 20 kids came to play games, have snacks, make crafts and most importantly, hear about the love of Jesus. The last night was a Family Night. We got to share the love of Christ with over 50 people. It was exciting to see God moving in our community.

Next week is Mackenzie's birthday. She will be five. We are getting her ears pierced for her birthday. She is excited. I am excited for her too. Getting your ears pierced is sort of a rite of passage, and it reminds me that she is growing up. She is such a sweet beautiful little girl. God has blessed our family so much this summer...with each other, with fun activities, and with the opportunity to be about His Work.

Answered Prayers

2010-02-23T13:05:00.000-06:00

I have not posted in forever so I thought I would update my blog friends on some exciting new things around the Howell house. Lance got a job! Praise the Lord!

He is working for Controlled Fluids in Beaumont. They build pumps and valves and stuff...I don't really understand it all, but that is why he is the engineer and not me :) His first day was yesterday. It is such an answer to prayer that he was able to secure a job in this really tough labor market. God was so faithful to provide for us while we were waiting and now He has sent this big blessing our way. We are so thankful to Him.

My bro-in-law & sis-in-law also had a beautiful healthy baby girl on February 9th. Her name is Brenlee Kate. She has a beautiful head of silky brown hair. Mackenzie and I have had a lot of fun spending time with her. This makes niece #2 for me,and I have a nephew on the way in April.

On another note, one of my best friends who has been struggling with infertility for over four years found out she is pregnant. I have prayed for her so much and care about her so much, and I was SUPER excited by her great news. She really inspires me.

Some of my other good friends have surrendered to the ministry and I know God has exciting things for their lives too. God is so good. In times like this when His blessings seem so real and abundant, I want to make sure and give Him the glory. He teaches us things while we are waiting so that when His time is made perfect we can glorify Him for his generous love.

My Stone

2009-11-04T21:37:00.000-06:00

A good friend of mine and I were talking at Bible Study this past Sunday about how we feel like there have been a lot of tragedies lately. It seems like the enemy is really attacking right now. A few years ago when I was going through some tough things and feeling that way, I wrote a poem that was based on the story of David & Goliath because I felt like I had a lot of Goliath's in my life at the time. I thought I would share it with all of you too in case you feel like you are fighting a Goliath right now...

My Stone

"I defy the ranks of Israel," the young boy heard him say.

Then his heart began to race as he looked Goliath's way.

But the beats that pounded in his chest were not from rage or fear,

But from the call of God that fell upon his ear.

"I have chosen you my child; this battle you must fight.

Not with sword and not with spear, but with my power and might."

So courageous little David looked Goliath in his eyes

And approached the battle line, not shaken by his size.

He reached into his pouch and pulled out one round stone.

As he drew his sling, his hands were steady because he wasn't holding it alone.

And even while Goliath shot out curses on God's name,

The living God of David calmed his heart and held his aim.

Then across the line soared David's stone and struck Goliath's head,

And David's enemy, the giant, fell silent then fell dead.

I can almost hear the brutal blow and see Goliath fall

Because the call that little David felt has also been my call.

There are Goliath's in my life God is calling me to fight

Not with sword and not with spear, but with his power and might.

And just as God held David, I do not fight alone

So I'll march up to the battle line, draw my sling, and throw my stone.

To God Be the Glory

2009-10-07T20:14:00.000-05:00

Well, the bullet fell out yesterday. As Lance says, it made it's way out like a really big splinter! KFDM Channel 6 got wind of the whole ordeal, and they called Lance and asked for an interview. Initially, Lance turned them down, but then he thought about how it would be an opportunity for God to get the glory for an amazing miracle so he changed his mind and called them back.

They came to our house today and did a story. Here is a link to the press release from the story. I hope this gives us the opportunity to share Christ with people we come across, not just from the news story but from opportunities to talk to people about it in person. To God be the glory for the things He has done!

http://www.kfdm.com/news/years-34529-leg-awhile.html

Four Years Later

2009-10-04T21:17:00.000-05:00

Some of you may remember a post from this summer when I told you all the story about how Lance accidentally shot himself in the leg when we were evacuated four years ago for Hurricane Rita. Well, the bullet has finally decided to make its exit. Right after it happened, Lance had a surgery to clean the bullet fragments out of his leg, and his doctor decided it was too dangerous to remove the main part of the bullet because it was surrounded by important veins and nerves.

The bullet entered 2mm away from his main artery. Had it hit the artery, Lance would have almost certainly died very quickly. Or if it had exited his body, he could have very possibly bled out and died before we could have gotten him to the hospital. But neither of those things happened because God's hand guided that bullet right past his vital parts and stopped it before it could do damage by busting out the back of his leg. Now it is emerging as a very real reminder of the Soviergnty of our God.

Go Dogs!

2009-09-12T22:05:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love football season! I love the peprallies, the games, the excitement. It is so much fun! This is Jenna's senior year so I am trying to enjoy it because I know I won't be as involved after this year until Mackenzie gets older at least.

Each week I help Jenna make three gifts - two for her little sisses and one for her locker boy. Some of the gifts that people exchange get pretty extravagant, which I do think is wasteful. But I do love helping Jenna prepare cutely wrapped spirited gifts each week.

I also love the football games. I love cheering on my team and traveling with them to support them at every game no matter where they go. I love eating pickels and peanuts in the stands and visiting with my friends.

I love scores that are so close and plays that are so important that it brings the stands to their feet. I love watching halftime. I love holding my breath as they throw Jenna up into the air in a cheer. I love the fight song. I could say more, but I will spare you.

Mackenzie loves it all too. She gets to do a lot of special things, like dance to the fight song out on the track because Jenna will carry her out there. Next year will be different when Jenna graduates so I am hoping Mack is soaking up every minute of the "special treatment" this year :)

I just thought I would share a picture of my precious daughter and beautiful sis. I love football and I really love both of you! Go Dogs!

Gabriel's Story

2009-08-27T08:58:00.000-05:00

Today during my quiet time, God gently reminded me of a story that I wanted to share. Some of you may remember Gabriel Iancoluvich. Gabriel was a foreign exchange student who lived with Lance and his family for a few years while we were in college. He was here from Romania to attend Lamar. Believe it or not, his dad (who was born and raised in Romania) was a Southern Baptist minister. Gabriel loved the Lord, and one day he told us a story that I will never forget.

He said that during the late 80s and early 90s, Romania was involved in terrible civil struggles. It was not uncommon for fighting to break out in towns across the country when community leaders disagreed. One day, near his home, his dad witnessed a terrible scene.

A young boy was playing with a small ball toward the back of his house, which met up with the side of the town's square. The ball rolled out into a paved area between some shops in the square, as there were no fences. The boy followed the ball, but as he ran after it, he found himself in the middle of a skirmish. He was caught in the crossfire and fatally wounded. His father ran out of the house when he heard the gunfire erupt to retrieve his son and bring him safely inside. But it was too late, he saw his son only 50 yards away, laying prostrate on the ground, his blood pouring out.

The small skirmish concluded as quickly as it had begun, and people had already gone on to move about their business. They had become so accustomed to such activity that they seemed hardly shaken. But the father rushed to his boy's side, picked up the small child in his arms, and screamed to the crowd, "Get off my son's blood! You are walking in my son's blood!"

Gabriel said that when God first brought him to America, he thought of that story and how seeing blood had become so ordinary for his people that watching the boy die made little impact on their daily life. He also said that he believes Christians in this blessed country are guilty of the same, but on a larger scale.

We go safely each week to our air-conditioned sanctuaries to be filled with the Gospel message, a message that many of us have heard all of our lives. Some of us may even feel entitled to being made to feel good on Sunday or to certain rights we feel as Christians we deserve, like the right to worship to a certain type of music or the right to meet in a certain room or place.

If we are fed with the Living Word and the Saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us so much that He poured out His blood for us, but we do nothing to show that His sacrifice has impacted our lives, then brothers and sisters, WE ARE WALKING ON HIS BLOOD.

We do not deserve His love or His grace. We do not want what we deserve. But because He loves us so much, God watched His son bleed for our sins on a hard wooden cross. Today as this message ways heavily upon my heart, God I repent of complacency and self-righteousness that have left me walking through Your Son's blood. I do not want to live as I am unaware of the great sacrifice or untouched by the grace through which I am saved. Instead, I want to do whatever you ask, whether easy or hard, because you loved me first.

Happy Birthday Mackenzie!

2009-08-19T23:37:00.001-05:00

Mackenzie is four years old today! She has had a great birthday. On Saturday, Lance & I took her to Gator Country to celebrate her birthday. She loves alligators, which I have always thought is unique for a little girl. We don't know when or why her fascination with the animal began, but we know she loves anything alligator, including eating them.

Birthdays are always a big deal around our house, and the birthday boy or girl gets just about anything he/she wants. So when my precious little four year old asked for an alligator cake, I was determined to make it happen. If you have known me for very long, then you know I am not very artisitic. Nevertheless, I took on the project as a labor of love. You see, I had to make it myself because store bought is just not the same according to my husband who cheered me on from the couch. (Easy for him to say.) It actually turned out better than I had expected, and it was a huge hit with the birthday girl, which made every bit of the work worth it.

This birthday feels like a big one to me, and it is almost bittersweet. She seems more like a little girl than a toddler now. She will even be joining us in church from now on, as she is too old for the nursery. And she no longer uses a nuk!

We have been preparing Mackenzie for months that 4 year olds don't use nuks (our word for pacifier) because I am ashamed to admit she still used it during bedtime. Which means that tonight is the first night of her life that she went to sleep without one. She did really good. She cried a little, but not as much as I had expected. I hope the next few nights as we transition through this are as easy as tonight.

I am so proud of the little girl that she is becoming, and I pray everyday that she accepts Jesus at a young age so that she has a lifetime of serving Him. Happy Birthday Mackenzie! I love you!

The Ugly Truth

2009-08-16T21:10:00.000-05:00

As you could probably tell from my last post, God has really been teaching me a lot of things about myself lately. One of the things that He has shown me recently is that I spend a lot of time on my appearance. Not on my physical appearance, but on how people percieve me as a wife, mother, church member, friend, etc.

Today I sat in on an adult Sunday School class while Lance taught our kids because I had been wanting to participate in Beth Moore's new Esther study, and they were watching the video. The lesson really spoke to my heart. She talked about women being secretly competitive and comparing themselves to one another and how instead of spending so much energy on worrying how we measure up, we should love and support each other like sisters.

I felt convicted because I often hide some of my true struggles and shortcomings from even my dearest friends for fear of looking like I don't have it all together. In doing so, I am hurting myself because I am losing the opportunity to be ministered to, and I could hurt others because I am adding to the lie that in order to be a good mom, a good wife or a good Christian, we have to always have it all under control and figured out.

Well sisters, here's the ugly truth...I do not have it all figured out!

Sometimes I get so stressed during the day when I am trying to work on a grant, watch Mackenzie, and pick up around the house that I close myself in the closet for a few minutes because my heart gets pounding so fast and my head spins so much that I wonder if I am having a panic attack.

It has just been in the last three months that I have gotten back into a regular quiet time with God since having Mackenzie. For the three and a half years before that I fit one in when I felt it was possible, which was not very often.

Despite saying we would never do this, Lance and I have argued in front of Mackenzie more than once.

I have let friends share their struggles with me and I have gone through the same thing, but I did not tell them.

I have pretended to be awake when being woken from a nap by a friend's phone call for fear of looking lazy or unproductive.

I have told friends I am praying for them when I was not.

And finally, I have pretended to be sleeping to keep from having to get up with Mackenzie or participate in other evening activities (you can use your imagination here ladies).

So there it is girls. I know that is an ugly truth, but I have come to realize that it is the truth that God can use. He can't use a pretty picture that I work so hard to paint, and He certainly can't use a liar.

I am not perfect or even near perfect. But I am a work in progress. And God has brought me to the place where I realize that I would rather have some sisters who know the real me and love me anyway than have to play the game of fake superwoman. I am not a superwoman, but God is a Super God.

Send the Rain

2009-08-09T16:53:00.000-05:00

Although this summer has been a busy and fun time for my family, I have been feeling lately that my day is filled with a lot of meaningless activities. Don't get me wrong - raising a child is one of the most important jobs I think God can give you, but I also cloud my day with obsessing over a clean house or a well-prepared meal. I stay busy alright, but am I just busy or am I fast at work doing what God has called me to do.

God has really been talking to my heart lately about surrendering my desires to Him and allowing Him to mold and transform my life into His plan, not mine. For eleven years, Lance went to Lamar and devoted himself to two degrees, which I am so proud of him for earning. We always thought that May 2009 would be some kind of finish line, like the work would be over and our life could start. Now it has been three months since he graduated, and God still has not sent a new job his way. We are so blessed that he has a secure job and that I can work on the side so that our family's needs are met, but we always thought we had our lives planned out. A would happen then B would happen, etc.

Instead, God is using this "in-between" time to teach us some very important lessons. On the way to Dallas a few weeks ago, we watched "Facing the Giants." The premise of the movie is being willing to face the giants in your life because you know that you are not fighting alone. At one point in the movie when the main character is feeling defeated, he cries out to God to "send the rain." Then he prepares for the rain because he believes it is coming.

After the movie, Lance pointed that last part out to me. He did not just ask for rain. He prepared the "fields" in his life and acted like rain was coming. I think this is where I fall short sometimes. I want God to send the rain or show me what He wants me to do. But do I really believe the rain is coming? He won't send it if I am not ready for it.

Right now in my life, I have realized that my family is just where God wants us - preparing for the rain. I am not sure what the rain will bring. It may relate to a job for Lance, but I have also come to realize that it may not have anything to do with that at all. I think for the first time in my life I am truly open to WHATEVER God wants me to do. I'm getting ready for him to send the rain!

Eight Years

2009-06-30T18:13:00.000-05:00

I don't have much time, but I could not let the day pass without posting a quick note about the special day. Today Lance & I have been married for 8 years. I feel so blessed to have such a great husband. We have a really good relationship, and I thank God every day for him. We are about to go on a date to Cheddar's, and I am really looking forward to the spinach dip.

On another note, Mack and I had a GREAT time at the beach. I will post some pictures from our trip soon. We swam, played in the sand, and even took a dolphin cruise where we saw over 20 dolphins. She loved it, and it was nice to just relax with family.

Lance, however, was not relaxing. We left him behind because he was coordinating Mid-county Mission Week for our church. I am so proud of him. Everyone is telling me about how amazing he was organizing all the workers and supplies to help people in need. He deserves a vacation too! I guess we will just have to take another one :)

Let Me Entertain You!

2009-06-15T21:40:00.000-05:00

Our summer has been busy, but fun! I guess that's why I have not had time to post in a while. We have been too busy with swimming lessons, recital and spending time with friends. And our fun continues - tomorrow morning I am leaving for cheerleader camp with Jenna. I go every year, and it is fun to share that with her. This year will be her last year because she will be a senior next year. That is really hard to believe. Sometimes I forget she is not the four year old who used to beg to come on dates with Lance & me. She is a beautiful young lady now, and I am very proud of her.

I get back from camp on Friday evening then on Sunday, Mackenzie and I are leaving with my parents for a beach trip to Gulf Shores, AL. My sister and Anna are going too. I think we are going to have a lot of fun, and Mackenzie is very excited about getting to see the ocean. Lance is planning to stay behind to help organize Mid-County Mission Week with our church.

Before I leave for my ventures, I had to take time to post a few pictures from Mackenzie's first recital. She was in baby ballet, and she also participated in the tumbling exhibition. We were so proud of her. She had a blast and said she felt like Cinderella. She looked and danced like a little princess too. (But of course I am not biased or anything.) Nevertheless here are a few snapshots from her moment in the spotlight :) I am going to savor it because when I look at Jenna, I am reminded how quickly the time passes. Happy Summer to you all!

My White Picket Fence

2009-05-11T11:42:00.000-05:00

I would like to start out by letting the whole world know that LANCE GRADUATED! I am so excited about this partly because it has been a hard road for him to work and study and for me to manage everything around here, but also I am just so proud of him for persisting. I don't think he likes me to make a big deal about it because he somehow feels embarrassed that he was in school for a long time. I feel the opposite. I think it is such a show of his character and his willingness to follow God's will wherever He leads, and however challenging it might be.

Which basically leads me to the next part of this post. I guess one reason that I admire this trait in Lance is because I see the lack of it in myself. God is actually using Lance and another person in my life to show me that my commitment level to Him is not 100%.

I know that no one's life is perfect, and I have had many struggles too. But I also know that God has abundantly blessed my life. I have a wonderful husband, and I am not just saying that in a non-chalant way. We are in the unique situation because we were best friends in high school and fell in love shortly after that. Both of us don't have a burdened past, and we have only ever been in love with each other. God has also been so faithful to sustain us financially. He has given us more than we need in life, and lately even when money is tight, there was always enough. And then of course, we have Mackenzie and even though we did not expect her, she has blessed and richened our lives in countless ways. God even provided a way for me to stay home with her. It seems like a perfect life. And in some ways that is where my struggle comes in...in a lot of ways it is a perfect life. The problem? I think I may care more about it than my relationship with God.

Is living life inside my white picket fence more important to me than total surrender to God? If God asked me to lay down my white picket fence life on Abraham's alter, would I be willing? I don't think so.

I know that God could choose to allow life's storms to tear down that fence at any time, and if it happened what would my devotion level be to Him? Would I stand upon the Rock or would I crumble with the fence?

Someone in my life recently has had their ideas and dreams dissappointed, and I see how they are trusing God to be their Protector. Sometimes I think I put more trust in my white picket fence life than in God.

I want to be willing to be used by God in whatever way He wants to use me. I don't want to be contained by my white picket fence any longer. I want to love like He loves; I want to move where He goes; and I want to sacrifice as He deserves. I want to tear down that fence!

Hoedown Throwdown Momma!

2009-04-15T12:38:00.000-05:00

Easter was really good for my family this year. We were excited to have Laurie and Micah here to enjoy it with us, along with all of my other family. I am so blessed that my in-laws and my parents share holidays together. They were friends before Lance and I were ever married so we have been spending holidays with the ENTIRE family since the beginning. What a blessing!

And of course, it is a blessing for Mackenzie too. She absolutely loves having her whole family together. We had Easter dinner at our house, and everyone came bearing Easter gifts for Mackenzie. At first I worried about this because I wanted to make sure that she knew that holidays like Easter and Christmas are first and foremost about Jesus Christ and not about presents, but I think that she understands the true meanings now.

On Saturday morning we made Resurrection Rolls with her. Very cool! If you have not heard of them, you take a large marshmallow and explain that it is like Jesus, white, pure, sinless. You dip the marshmallow in melted butter and cinnamon suger like Joseph of Arimathea and Jesus' followers annointed his body after the cross. Then you wrap the marshmallow in a crescent roll, sealing it tightly, to represent the linen cloths. You cook the rolls for 10 to 12 minutes in the oven, and you can explain that the oven is like the tomb. And when the rolls are done, the marshmallow is no longer there, instead you have a sweet puffed up roll. Mackenzie had a lot of fun with it and seemed to understand the symbolism.

For Easter, Jenna got her a fish in a fish bowl and the new Hannah Montana CD. This of course overshadowed anything that Lance and I put in her Easter basket. The fish is named Schnoney (don't know where she came up with that?), and I am pretty sure it is going to have a short life span, as she is obsessed with feeding it, and I have found her on more than one occassion with her hands in the fish bowl. At least goldfish are easy to replace, right :)

As far as the Hannah Montana CD, we have listened to the Hoedown Throwdown song about 5 million times since Sunday, and Mackenzie wants me to dance with her each and every time. I got tired of bouncing around so I went to the Hannah Montana tutorial on youtube and actually learned the dance. Mackenzie and Jenna thought that was totally cool so I earned some good mom brownie points for that one. The only problem is that Mackenzie wants me to show everyone the cool Hannah Montana dance, which can create some embarrassing moments. Of course I refuse, but nevertheless I am glad she is proud of me.

The Last Month

2009-04-06T21:44:00.000-05:00

Well, things have finally slowed down for the Howell bunch. Praise the Lord! We had a very eventful month last month. NuNu passed away, Mackenzie spent a week in the hospital, we had an estate sale for NuNu's stuff, Laurie and Micah moved back to town, and the list goes on.

I am grateful that things are relatively calm now, and we are enjoying some spring cleaning and some family time. Of course, Lance is still busy with school, but that will be over soon too, yea!!! He is building a wind turbine for his Senior Engineering Project. It is actually a windmill that is hooked up to a generator and the wind produces electricity. Pretty amazing! He is so smart, and I admire his brains and his determination. I can't wait to congratulate my graduate next month :)

One of the coolest things that I have gotten to do recently was bring Kiley and Kozmo to visit Mackenzie's Mother's Day Out class. I'm sure you are wondering who Kiley and Kozmo are. They are Jenna's baby goats. Yes Jenna has goats in her backyard. We call her Ellie Mae for a reason. Above are a few pictures of Jenna and Mackenzie showing off the baby goats to the three year olds at Holy Cross MDO.

The kids and her teacher loved the goats. And it was a lot of fun to share them. Mackenzie told Jenna that after that day she was the coolest girl in school :)

In conclusion, I am looking forward to this summer and some fun camps and vacations, and I am so thankful for everything the Lord has brought us through in the last several weeks. He is always faithful and always good. Happy Ressurrection Week!

Blessed

2009-03-09T22:00:00.000-05:00

We're home! Mackenzie got out of the hospital on Friday, and since the doctor said that she could run and play but she could not be around large groups of people, we decided to spend the weekend at the lake. We had so much fun!

Mackenzie is feeling great and was so glad to be outside and playing after spending 8 days inside and sick. We fished, and she caught a big fish (and that's no fish story). We played in the sand and in the grass. We rode on the golf cart and on the four wheeler. We went running and walking. We grilled and ate. It was fantastic.

The thing that was on my mind the most this weekend was how blessed I am. My life is not perfect, no one's is. But God's love and provision is abundant. I think sometimes in our struggles, we see that most clearly because it is in those difficult times that He is everything that we need.

Mackenzie is in the hospital!

2009-03-04T15:13:00.000-06:00

This Friday Mackenzie started running a fever and throwing up. By Sunday afternoon, we had to take her to the emergency room because we could not get her fever down and she was sooooo sick. When we got to the ER they did blood work and took chest X-rays, and we found out that she had pneumonia. We were shocked. It had all happened so fast and on top of that she never had a cough or even a runny nose, just fever.

They put us in the hospital that night and quickly started treatments...IV antibiotic, breathing treatments, more blood work. The first night here we literally did not go to sleep. She is better now; however, we will be in the hospital until Friday. The pneumonia got into her blood, which can be very dangerous. She is reacting great to the medicines and improving a lot but we have to stay here to continue the medicine until we are sure all of the infection is gone.

Now that she is feeling better the hardest part about being here (besides being woken up so much in the night with breathing treatments, blood pressure, etc) is keeping her entertained. But God is good. The doctors are taking good care of my baby.

My Rarely Mentioned Miracle

2009-02-25T21:55:00.000-06:00

Tonight I was preparing to get in the bathtub when my husband thought he would be funny by banging violently on the bathroom wall to startle me. I hate being scared, and he knows that, which is what I think makes scaring me so much fun for him. Well tonight when I heard that banging sound, it was like an instant flashback to a sound that I had heard before and one that I don't like thinking about.

When we evacuated 3 1/2 years ago for Hurricane Rita, we went to my brother-in-law's house in Fort Worth. Lance was packing up the car to come back home, and he had a gun in his hand that he had brought with us for the trip up there. We had all recently seen the terrible things that had happened in New Orleans, and since he has a concealed hand gun license, it made sense that he would keep one with him on the road to protect his family if, God forbid, the need arose. However, as he carried the gun to put it back in the vehicle for the ride home, the leather band on the holster holding the gun in place broke and the gun came violently down on the hard tile of Laurie and Micah's front foyer. When the gun hit the ground, it dischared a bullet, which shot into Lance's leg. The gun was a 357 Magnum, and Lance was standing at point blank range. Micah was holding Mackenzie in his arms about 4 feet from where Lance was standing.

I was outside at the time of impact loading some other things in the car, but I heard the very loud bang. I was not sure what it was, but it sent me running for the house. My baby was inside! When I opened the front door, it was smoky, it smelled like gun powder and my husband was on the ground. I panicked. Micah told me to get towels and even though we had been staying there for over three weeks, I could not think of where the towels were. Micah called 911. I went to the bathroom and threw up. Its not that I was grossed out by blood or anything because there really was not much of it. I was just literally sick with anxiety and upset. Lance was concious and telling me everything was OK, but he was sweating alot and was very white in color.

The paramedics got there, and the first thing that they commented on was that there was no exit wound, which was a very good thing because the hole that a bullet creates in entry is much smaller than the hole created from an exit wound. The police also got there and since it was a gun shot wound they had to question us about what had happened. They made Micah and I go into separate rooms to tell the story of what happened to make sure that our stories matched up. Of course this totally tramautized an already freaking out wife. After the cops confirmed there was no foul play, they helped me into the ambulance and I rode with Lance to the county hospital while Micah followed behind in my car with Mackenzie.

When we arrived at the trauma emergency room of Fort Worth's county hospital, we had to make our way through the chain gang of prisoners who were being treated there. When I saw what the hospital was like, I sent Micah and Mackenzie back home because I realized it was no place for my six week old baby! So there I was left with a wounded husband in a very threatening, scary place. But God was with me! They took Lance in for an arteriorgram and UNBELIEVABLY, the bullet entered two millimeters away from his main artery. No permanent damage. After several long hours of monitoring him in the emergency room, we were sent home that night.

The reason that I don't like talking about this is because it was very traumatic for me. Not only was my husband hurt, but my baby was just steps away from the bullet, not to mention Lance was TWO MILLIMETERS from death himself. The "what ifs" haunted me for a long time. And the time following his wound was difficult because I had to take care of him and a new baby, as well as return to work. We had a lot of family help, but it was still a very tough time for me.

But tonight as I was sent flashing back to that scary day, I really saw the miracle of the situation and I felt like rarely mentioning it was really not bringing glory to God who so deserves it. He protected my family. I have no doubt His hands guided that bullet right through Lance's leg so no permanent damage was done then He stopped it so that Lance would not bleed out from an exit wound. Then He gave us the strength to cope with the recovery. God does work miracles. I know He does it everyday, and I want you to know that He worked a miracle for my family that day. Thank you God for the miracle of my salvation and thank you for working miracles in my life and the lives of others.

NuNu Went to Heaven Today

2009-02-09T22:15:00.000-06:00

Well, I know a lot of you have heard that Lance's grandmother, NuNu as most know her, died today. She and I were very close, and I feel blessed to have some special memories. For the first five years we were married, Lance and I lived in a little house behind hers. We did not have a washer and dryer so I did all of my clothes at her house. In 2002, she had an anurism in her heart, and she has not been in great health since then. Brenda took good care of NuNu until she went to be with Jesus and since that time the family has all worked together to meet NuNu's needs. She also had a really special lady named Maria who came and ran errands with her. NuNu loved to be on the go, and really nothing, even the anurism could slow her down.

NuNu dearly loved Mackenzie and Mack loved her too. I am OK with everything about her passing because I have memories to cherish and I know she did not suffer, but I am a little concerned about my precious three-year old and how she is going to process this. We have experienced loss before, but this is the first time Mackenzie has been old enough to understand what is going on and really feel the loss. We told her that NuNu went to be with Jesus and that she was going to see Gammy (Brenda), and she seemed to understand, yet at the same time, she asks questions like, "When is NuNu coming home?" I am praying that Lance and I can use this experience as a teaching opportunity to show her the saving, eternal power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was a great day for NuNu, and that is how I want to remember her. She moved her letter of membership to Hillcrest yesterday and then I fixed a hot dog lunch. She loved the chili I made for the hot dogs so much, and she looked so pretty all dressed up for church. And she was happy and smiling. As I sit here I can only imagine how magnified that happiness became today when she was able to worship Jesus in her eternal home with Him.

Thank you, Jesus, for NuNu, and thank you that you love us and desire us so much that you died a terrible death so that we could live a redeemed life forever with you and all those that love you.

Two great things...

2009-01-20T22:47:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share two things that I have discovered so far this year that I think are great. First, some of you may be familiar with the Heaven Bible study that a few of the Sunday School classes at church went through. Well, a sweet lady at church gave me the study because she wanted me to be encouraged by it in light of Brenda's death, and I was changed by it.

This may not be new information to some of you, but the Bible study transformed the way that I think about Heaven. Basically, the author, Randy Alcorn, encourages Christians to think about the idea that God never gave up on His original plan, Earth, and Heaven will actually be a perfect Earth. Not spirits playing harps in clouds, but a physical place with physical people and physical things that have a redeemed spiritual nature. He rejects the Platonian idea that spirit and physical are opposites and believes that God created humans for earth and that Heaven will be redeemed humans experiencing a restored earth. I know this sounds complicated, but I find his ideas exhilarating because I never wanted to admit it, but I was not all that excited about the idea of singing on a cloud for eternity. But Heaven is so much more.

So anyway, I loved the Bible Study so much that for Christmas Lance bought me the full novel that the Bible Study was written from. I am learning so much. I definitely recommend this book if you want to learn more about what's to come for those who have asked Jesus into their hearts. If anyone wants to borrow it when I finish let me know or you can pick it up at Lifeway.

The other thing I have discovered this month is called "Group Groove." It is a urban/salsa dance aerobics class at Exygon on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It is so much fun that you don't even realize you are exercising. Basically it is cardio aerobics with a dance flare. The best part is that they turn off the lights and turn on a disco ball, and they cover the mirrors so that you can't see yourself acting a fool! My favorite cardio routine is to Vanilla Ice! Burning calories while having fun - it's a great thing!

Perserverance

2009-01-11T22:35:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is the first day of Lance's last semester of school. I know that he is ready to get it over with. I know that he is tired of all the studying, tests, and projects that come along with college, and I am praying that God will give him the strength to make it through one more semester.

I also thank God for a husband who chooses God's way, even when it's not the easy way. When I think about his college career, I am so proud of him. He could have chosen the easy road and found a job with his first degree, but instead he chose to answer God's calling and perservere through four more years of school because he knows that God's ways are higher than our ways. And when the studying got long and the nights got late, he never waivered. I think it's because his eyes are not fixed on a BS in Mechanical Engineering, his eyes are fixed on the Great Engineer - the one who designed a perfect plan for His life.

So Lance, as we embark on your final semester of school, I just want you to know how very inspired I am by you. Your perserverance is a testimony of the peace of the Holy Spirit and the joy of your salvation. Thank you for accepting His call. It's an amazing journey to walk through life beside you because you choose to follow God's direction. I love you.

Happy Birthday Momma!

2009-01-06T09:53:00.000-06:00

Today is my mom's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is, but I will tell you that I think she is still young :) I love my mom so much. She is one of the most important people in my life. To honor her today, I wanted to share 10 things about life that I have learned from my mom...
10. You can show people that you love them by knowing how they take their coffee.
9. Eating crackers in bed is OK if it's on Daddy's side and he's not home :)
8. Use the china at Christmas, and really anytime, because it does no good in the cabinet. Plus it really does make the dinner more special.
7. Wear a dress sometimes, even if it is more uncomfortable, because being a lady has value.
6. Don't quit something half way through. There really is a reward in finishing something difficult.
5. Value your teachers and your children's teachers. They are there because they want to teach you, not for the money!
4. Value family traditions and make time for them. They may be your legacy.
3. Be a doer. God has put us in the game, not on the sidelines.
2. Never leave the house without telling your family that you love them. You may not have another chance.
1. Put God first in your life and He will lead you through everything in life. He never leaves you.

Happy Birthday Momma! I love you!

Promised to the King

2009-01-02T19:09:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally did it - I made a blog. I thought for my first post I would tell you why I picked the title that I did. It really has dual meanings for me.

First, God has been so faithful to our family by keeping His promises to us. Four years ago, Lance and I were very surprised to find out that we were pregnant. During that same year, we learned his mom had pancreatic cancer. God always knows what he is doing.

In August of 2005 we welcomed a beautiful new addition to our family. In July 2006 we temporarily parted with a wonderful woman of God. These have been the two major events that have shaped our life for the past two years. And through the joys and heartaches, God has kept His promises - His promise to lead us, to guide us, to heal us, to give us hope, to restore us, to calm us, to protect us, to provide for us, to never leave us. We would not be who we are were it not for His fulfilled promises.

There is another promise that I know He will fulfill in His time, and that is His promise to bring me to that special place that He has gone to prepare for me where I can live forever with him and those who love Him. I am promised to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who created me and then paid a very high price for me. He is coming back for me. While I am waiting, I want to make every moment count.